Combination storm window and air conditioner cover



J. H- MULLINS July 4, 1967 COMBINATION STORM WINDOW AND AIR CONDITIONER COVER Filed Dec. 9, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR James mums July 4, 1967 J. H. MULLINS 3,328,929

COMBINATION STORM WINDOW AND AIR CONDITIONER COVER Filed Dec. 9, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /7 P s 2 54 I P INVENTOR.

James MuZZL'ns BY I 4 7' TOENEYS United States Patent O 3,328,929 COMBINATION STORM WINDOW AND AIR CONDITIONER COVER James H. Mullins, 3 Rocklaud Place, Westport, Conn. 06880 Filed Dec. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 417,030 Claims. (Cl. 52-202) This invention relates to window enclosures. More specifically, it pertains to a combination storm window and air conditioner cover for enclosing a window and an air conditioning unit mounted therein.

While storm windows, of both the combination and fixed type, and window mounted air conditioners have long been known in their respective arts, no satisfactory solution has as yet been presented for eliminating the necessity of regularly having to remove the air conditioner from the window to facilitate the mounting of storm windows and vice versa. Heretofore, it has been necessary, in order to protect the air conditioner from the elements and eliminate winter drafts by the installation of storm windows, and in order to mount the air conditioner in the summer so that it is properly exposed to the atmosphere, to seasonally remove one as the other is installed, thus incurring the expense of removal and installation or subjecting oneself to the danger inherently involved in such operations.

Prior attempts to solve the foregoing problem have been, on the whole, unsuccessful in their failure to recognize the need for a universal window enclosure construction, which protects the window and a mounted air conditioning unit in winter, yet is readily converted with a minimum of effort in spring to expose the air conditioning unit to the atmosphere, as required.

It is an important object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a combination storm window and air conditioner cover for enclosing a window and air conditioning unit mounted therein, as required by seasonal conditions, which is readily converted, with a minimum of effort, to expose the air conditioning unit to the atmosphere to facilitate its operation. 7

It is also an object of the invention to provide a window enclosure construction, having, as independent, yet readily assembled and disassembled parts thereof, a storm sash and an air conditioner enclosure.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a window enclosure construction including a frame member, adapted to be connected to a window frame, which has means for removably carrying a storm or screen sash and an air conditioner enclosure the sash and enclosure being readily assembled with the frame member without removing the latter from the window frame and being interchange-able and relatively positioned in the frame member, as desired.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination storm window and air conditioner cover including a frame member pivotally connected to a window frame and a storm or screen sash and air conditioner enclosure, the sash and enclosure having means thereon adapted to be received in an inwardly facing track forming part of the frame member, the track having open ends to facilitate insertion and removal of the sash and enclosure therefrom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combination storm window and air conditioner cover including a rigid frame member pivotally connected to the head of a-wind-ow frame and adapted to be received within the opening defined by the window frame, the frame member being formed with an inwardly facing channel-shaped track extending around the top and sides thereof and open at the ends adjacent the bottom edge of the frame member, the track being adapted to slidably receive edges of a sash and/ or a flange of an air conditioner enclosure inserted therein through its open ends when the frame member is pivoted outwardly of the win-dow frame.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a combination storm window and air conditioner cover for enclosing a window and an outwardly projecting air conditioning unit mounted therein, which includes a frame member adapted to be mounted by a window frame and carrying a sash and outwardly projecting air conditioner enclosure, the latter having means adapted to be removably received in a recess forming part of the frame member, the enclosure having openings therein for exposing the air conditioning unit to the atmosphere and having removable closure means for closing such openings.

It is still further an object of the invention to provide a Window enclosure including a frame member, connected to a window frame, which is adapted to removably receive and mount, in any desired sequence or combination, storm sash, screen sash and an air conditioner enclosure, the latter completely enclosing an air conditioning unit mounted in the win-dow and the mounting means for the unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims, when considered in connection with the attached sheets of drawings, illustrating one form of the invention, wherein like characters represent like part-s and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a combination storm window and air conditioner cover, according to the invention, mounted in a window frame, the combination win-dow and cover being shown in its two positions by solid and broken lines;

FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 2-2 in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of the combination storm window and air conditioner cover;

FIG. 4 is .a fragmentary foreshortened cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 55 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a window frame and mount for an air conditioning unit; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view; broken away and partially in section, of a modified form of air conditioner cover according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, a combination storm window and air conditioner cover 10, according to the invention, is shown mounted in a'conventional window frame 11 for enclosing the window 12 and the air conditioning unit 13 mounted therein.

As illustrated, the window frame 11, of the window 12, which is here shown as a conventional casement structure having an upper window portion 12a and lower portion 12b, includes a head 14, jambs 15 and a sill 16 of standard building construction. The window frame, which defines the opening in which the window portions 12a and 12b are slidably mounted, may, as shown in FIG. 6, carry means 17 for mounting the air conditioning unit 13.

While the concepts of the present invention are applicable to enclosing substantially all forms of window air conditioners, the air conditioning unit 13 illustrated herein projects outwardly of the window frame, the mounting means 17 therefor providing a shelf 18, for support ing the outer end of the unit, and being connected to the window frame through a mounting bar 19, connected between the window jarnbs, and arms 20 and braces 21. While many other forms of supporting structures may be used for mounting the air conditioning unit 13, the herein illustrated form is preferred since it lies wholly within the outline of the opening defined by the window frame, thus facilitating the use of the window and air conditioner enclosure contemplated by the present invention.

The combination storm window and air conditioner cover 10, as shown, includes a rigid rectangular frame member 22, of metal or similar material, mounted by the window frame 11 and adapted to be received therein in the outwardly facing channel 23, which conventionally forms part of the window frame. The frame member, 'which is pivotally connected to the head of the window frame by conventional storm window or screen mounting elements 24, is adapted to be pivoted outwardly of the window, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, for exposing the ends 25 of an inwardly facing open track 26 forming part of the frame member. The track 26, which is channel-shaped and, as illustrated, is continuous and extends around the sides of the frame member, corresponding to the window frame jambs and head, provides a channel for receiving sash and air conditioner enclosure means inserted therein through the open ends 25 when the frame member is pivoted outwardly of the window frame.

As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 3, a sash means 27, which is here shown as a storm sash carrying a glass panel 28 or other transparent impervious sheet, but may comprise a screen sash carrying a conventional insect screen, has edges 29 adapted to be slidably received in the channel-shaped track 26, on insertion thereof through the open ends 25, for positioning in the upper portion of the frame member 22. While it is not absolutely necessary, the sash means 27 may be provided with an outwardly and downwardly projecting flap 30 for overlying the air conditioner enclosure, as will be hereinafter explained, to completely seal the window 10 against the elements, insects, dust or the like. The sash means 27 is provided with locking means 31 for cooperation with complementary means 32 carried by the frame member for retaining it in the desired position therein.

The air conditioner enclosure 33, while it may take any form which will enable it to enclosure the air conditioning unit mounted in the window, is here shown as a box-like structure having at its inner open end 34 a flange 35 therearound, which is similar to the edges 29 of the sash means and is adapted to be slidably received in the track 26 when the frame member is pivoted outwardly of the window frame for exposing the open ends 25 of the track. The air conditioner enclosure 33 is positioned in the frame member so that one edge of the flange 35 abuts an edge of the sash means, thereby entirely closing the opening defined by the frame member. As shown herein, the flap 30* of the window sash overlies the abutting edge of the air conditioner enclosure flange to close any opening that may exist therebetween. After the air conditoner enclosure 33 has been positioned in the frame member, the latter is pivoted back into mounted position within the channel 23 of the window frame so that the enclosure is retained in position within the track 26 by the engagement of its lower flange edge with the window frame sill 16. Means 36, as shown in FIG. 1, may be provided for cooperating between the frame member and window frame for retaining the former in closed position relative to the latter.

The foregoing storm window and air conditioner cover 10 has been herein described with the window sash 27 disposed in the upper portion of the frame member and the air conditioner enclosure 33 disposed in the lower portion thereof but it will be understood that the location of these elements may be reversed or the air conditioner enclosure may be dispensed with entirely and an additional sash means substituted therefor.

While the air conditioner enclosure 33 may completely enclose the air conditioning unit 13, in the illustrated form of the invention it is provided with means for venting the air conditioning unit to the atmosphere, when desired, so that it is unnecessary to remove the enclosure for operating the unit. In the form of enclosure shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the outer surface 37 thereof is formed with an opening 38 which is adapted to directly expose the air conditioning unit to the atmosphere. The opening 38 may be closed by a closure member 39 slidably carried in tracks 40 formed on the outer surface of the enclosure.

In the modified form of enclosure shown in FIG. 7, openings 41 in the form of slots are provided in the vertical sides and front wall of the enclosure, such slots being provided to afford venting of the air conditioning unit to the atmosphere. As illustrated, the slots 41 may be closed entirely or opened to any desired extent by means of the comb-shaped closures 42 which are slidably carried in tracks 43 mounted on the side and front walls of the enclosure. As will be seen, the closures 42, which may be remotely manipulated to the desired posi tion relative to the slots 41 by conventional chain and pulley arrangements, as shown at 44, are each provided with a plurality of teeth 45, substantially corresponding in size, shape and spacing to the slots 41 for closing the latter.

The combination storm window and air conditioner cover 10, hereinbefore described, provides a substantially universal enclosure for a window and air conditioning unit mounted therein, such enclosure being readily assembled and disassembled and being adapted to include a variety of combinations of sash means and air conditioner covers.

Thus, among others, the several objects and advantages of the invention as aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in the structure may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover, for enclosing a window and an air conditioning unit mounted therein, comprising a frame member shaped to fit a window frame and defining an opening substantially conforming with said window, said frame member being formed to provide an inwardly facing recess, a sash removably carried by said frame member and having means therein for closing at least a portion of said opening in said frame member and enclosing a corresponding portion of said window, said sash having edges receivable within said recess and having means cooperating with said frame member for preventing accidental outward displacement therefrom, and an air conditioner enclosure carried by said frame member for closing the portion of said opening therein corresponding to the portion of said window in which said air conditioning unit is mounted, said enclosure having a flange therearound receivable within said recess and having means cooperable with said frame member for preventing accidental outward displacement therefrom.

2. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover, for enclosing a window and an air conditioning unit mounted therein, comprising a frame member shaped to fit a window frame and defining an opening substantially conforming with said window, said frame member being formed to provide an inwardly facing track open at one end of said frame member and closed at the opposite end thereof, a sash removably carried by said frame member and having means therein for closing at least a portion of said opening in said frame member and enclosing a corresponding portion of said window, said sash having edges slidably receivable within said track and being insertable therein through said open end, and an air conditioner enclosure carried by said frame member for closing the portion of said opening therein corresponding to the portion of said window in which said air conditioning unit is mounted, said enclosure having a flange therearound slidably receivable within said track and insertable therein through said open end.

3. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover, for enclosing a window and an air conditioning unit mounted therein, comprising a rigid frame member shaped to fit a window frame and being pivotally connected thereto along one edge thereof, said frame member defining an opening substantially conforming with said window and being formed to provide an inwardly facing track open at the end of said frame member opposite said pivoted end and closed at the pivoted end thereof, a sash removably carried by said frame member and having means therein for closing at least a portion of said opening in said frame member and enclosing a corresponding portion of said window, said sash having edges slidably receivable within said track and being insertable therein through said open end when said frame member is pivoted outwardly of said window frame, and an air conditioner enclosure removably carried by said frame member and abutting said sash for closing the portion of said opening in said frame member corresponding to the portion of said window in which said air conditioning unit is mounted, said enclosure having a flange therearound slidably receivable within said track and insertable therein through said open end when said frame member is pivoted outwardly of said window frame, said air conditioner enclosure having means for preventing its accidental displacement from said frame member.

4. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover, for enclosing a window and an air conditioning unit mounted therein, comprising a rigid frame member shaped to normally fit within the opening defined by the head, jambs and sill of a window frame, said frame member being pivotally connected to said head of said window frame to pivot from its normal position outwardly of said sill and defining an opening substantially conforming with said window, said frame member being formed to provide an inwardly facing track open at an end of said frame member adjacent said sill and closed at the opposite end thereof adjacent said head, a sash removably carried by said frame member and having means therein for closing at least a portion of said opening in said frame member and enclosing a corresponding portion of said window, said sash having edges slidably receivable within said track and being insertable therein through said open end when said frame member is pivoted outwardly of said sill, and an air conditioner enclosure removably carried by said frame member and abutting said sash for closing the portion of said opening in said frame member corresponding to the portion of said window in which said air conditioning unit is mounted, said enclosure having a flange therearound slidably receivable within said track and insertable therein through said open end when said frame member is pivoted outwardly of said sill, said flange engaging said sill when said frame member is in its normal position for retaining said sash and air conditioner enclosure in inserted position relative to said track.

5. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover, for enclosing a window and an outwardly projecting air conditioning unit mounted therein, comprising a rigid frame member shaped to normally fit within the opening defined by the head, jambs and sill of a window frame, said frame member being pivotally connected to said head of said window frame for pivotal movement from its normal position outwardly of said window frame sill and defining an opening substantially conforming with said window, said frame member being formed to provide an inwardly facing channel-shaped track extending around the sides thereof corresponding to said head and jarnbs of said window frame, said track having open ends adjacent the end of said frame member corresponding to said window frame sill, a sash removably carried by said frame member and having means therein for closing at least a portion of said opening in said frame member and enclosing a corresponding portion of said window, said sash having edges slidably receivable within said channel-shaped track and being cooperable therewith for preventing lateral movement of said sash in said frame member, said edges of said sash being insertable in said track through said open ends thereof and movable into position in said opening when said frame member is pivoted outwardly from its normal position, and an air conditioner enclosure carried by said frame member for closing the portion of said opening therein corresponding to the portion of said window in which said air conditioning unit is mounted, said enclosure projeoting outwardly of the plane of said frame member for enclosing said air conditioning unit and hav ing a flange in the plane of said frame member and abutting an edge of said sash, said flange being slidably receivable within said channel-shaped track and being cooperable therewith for preventing lateral movement of said enclosure relative to said frame member, said flange of said enclosure being insertable in said track through said open ends thereof and movable into position in said opening when said frame member is pivoted outwardly from its normal position, and said enclosure having means engaging said window frame sill when said frame member is in its normal position for preventing movement of said enclosure and sash outwardly of the open ends of said track.

6. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover as defined in claim 5, wherein said sash is carried by said frame member adjacent the t-op thereof in its inserted position for enclosing the upper portion of said window, and in which there are fastener means removably connecting said sash to said frame member for preventing said sash from sliding downwardly in said frame member.

7. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover as defined in claim 5, and fastening means removably connec-ting said frame member and window frame for preventing accidental pivoting of said frame member outwardly from its normal position.

8. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover as defined in claim 5, wherein said means in said sash for enclosing said portion of said window comprises window glass.

9. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover as defined in claim 5, wherein said outwardly projecting enclosure comprises a casing for receiving the outwardly projecting air conditioning unit, said casing being formed with vent means having removable closures therefor for exposing the unit to the atmosphere.

10. A combination storm window and air conditioner cover as defined in claim 9, and means for remotely controlling said closures for said vent means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,946,169 2/1934 MacKenzie 49-463 X 2,013,824 9/1935 Ensminger 49-463 X 2,096,048 10/1937 Lindish 49-164 2,402,112 6/1946 Gee 49-464 X 3,002,236 10/1961 Humphner 52-202 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

- P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner, 

2. A COMBINATION STORM WINDOW AND AIR CONDITIONER COVER, FOR ENCLOSING A WINDOW AND AN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT MOUNTED THEREIN, COMPRISING A FRAME MEMBER SHAPED TO FIT A WINDOW FRAME AND DEFINING AN OPENING SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORMING WITH SAID WINDOW, SAID FRAME MEMBER BEING FORMED TO PROVIDE AN INWARDLY FACING TRACK OPEN AT ONE END OF SAID FRAME MEMBER AND CLOSED AT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, A SASH REMOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID FRAME MEMBER AND HAVING MEANS THEREIN FOR CLOSING AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID OPENING IN SAID FRAME MEMBER AND ENCLOSING A CORRESPONDING PORTION OF SAID WINDOW, SAID SASH HAVING EDGES SLIDABLY RECEIVABLE WITHIN SAID TRACK AND 